The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, challenging the judgment of Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, which found the Commission liable for defaming former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, over a social media publication relating to an alleged $6 billion Mambilla Power Project fraud.
The notice of appeal was filed on Friday, July 10, 2026, by counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, SAN.
In the appeal, filed in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024, the EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with “the whole of the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, Coram: Hon. Justice Peter O. Kekemeke, delivered on the 8th day of July, 2026.”
Specifically, the appeal is predicated on 11 grounds and seeks four reliefs. The Commission is asking the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, set aside the entire judgment of the trial court, dismiss Agunloye’s claims in their entirety, and make any further order the court may deem fit in the circumstances.
Justice Kekemeke had held in his judgment that the EFCC’s publication concerning Agunloye was false, defamatory and injurious to the former minister’s reputation, and awarded ₦10 million in damages against the Commission.
Shittu also filed an application for a stay of execution of the trial court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.
0 Comments